Medical Practice Assistant- PRN

Medical Practice Assistant- PRN

Primary Purpose

Accountable for providing patient centered care and operational support to the medical team to ensure an optimal patient experience. Coordinates activities in the clinical areas and facilitates a smooth patient flow. Assists with patient data collection, performs select screenings, and completes medical office functions relevant to the area/assignment.

Education

• None

Experience

• Must have three years of customer service experience, preferably in a medical/healthcare/health insurance setting.
• Patient registration experience preferred.
• Prefer completion of coursework towards an accredited medical technology or medical assistant certification.
• Medical Office Assistance experience or training a plus.

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

• May have an equivalent combination of education and experience to substitute for the experience requirements.

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to work collaboratively with colleagues to deliver patient/customer services that exceed patient expectations as evidenced by patient satisfaction scores.
• Must be able to demonstrate competency required as applicable to the specialty area.
• Must have demonstrated communication skills to include above-average verbal skills (heavy public contact) and written skills. Bilingual skills preferred.
• Must have familiarity with diagnostic ICD-9-CM coding and HCPCS-CPT4 procedure codes.
• Must have working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Must be able to demonstrate basic clerical skills and working knowledge of standard office equipment.
• Must be detail-oriented and have sharp analytical skills to resolve registration issues as related to multiple groups, including third-party payors, physicians, patients, and the system.
• Must be able to solve problems within the guidelines of established policies and procedures.
• Must be able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, and rapid change.

Responsibilities

• Proficiently performs patient service activities in coordination with the clinical team, including but not limited to:

Ensures patient and family comfort, safety, privacy, and confidentiality at all times.

• Adapts work methods to specifically accommodate the population-specific care needs (physical, psychosocial, cultural, age/developmental) of each patient.
• Greets patients and families, making them feel welcome and wanted.
• Assists patients and families with directions, inquiries, and information as requested. Ensures needs are addressed satisfactorily.
• Keeps patients and families informed about wait times and any other factors that may affect the visit.
• Stays cognizant of clinical/area needs to facilitate patient care and flow.
• Assess patient experience at the end of each visit to determine if patient needs were met.
• Coordinates clinic/area activities and facilitates business processes in accordance with standards.

Performs pre-visit activities to gather patient information from internal and external service or entities to ensure information is available to the clinic team for the visit.

• Checks the patient into the clinic. Correctly identifies the patient prior to performing tasks. Reviews and updates patient accounts to ensure registration and coverage are current and complete.
• Confirms or verifies coverage as needed. Identifies and refers patients for financial counseling as appropriate.
• Performs upfront cash collections; receives, verifies, and posts money transactions following Parkland cash management policies and procedures. All monies must be accounted for through the patient accounting system and/or point of sale system. Verifies and completes daily reconciliations that ensure cash transactions are handled accurately and that deposits are made daily.
• Assists with the process of internal and external appointments, referrals, and information retrieval. Schedules appointments in accordance with clinical team directive and patient desires/availability.
• Performs charge capture and charge reconciliation to ensure encounters are complete and closed in a timely manner.
• Documents (paper or electronic) completely, accurately, legibly, and timely.

Ensures applicable documentation is obtained for registration and patient visit. Provides an explanation for all requested forms to ensure patient understanding.

• Performs data entry/documentation of patient care intake information.

• Assists with the maintenance of clinic supplies and equipment.

• Assists with stocking and inventory of supplies, as appropriate.

• Keeps appropriate persons informed of the status of supplies and equipment.

• Completes requisition documentation for supplies, equipment, and services, as applicable.

• Practices patient safety measures and, in association with site leadership:

• Complies with proper hand hygiene (hand washing/hand sanitizer gel/foam use).

• Applies or practices proper infection control methods.

• Identifies, corrects, and/or reports safety hazards at the time of discovery.

• Identifies and/or facilitates maintenance of equipment, initiates work order requests, and removes equipment from the patient care area, as appropriate.

• Informs Environmental Services when additional cleaning activities are needed.

• Participates in performance improvement and quality initiatives.

• Participates in the unit performance improvement initiatives.

• Meets expected performance quality measures as outlined for area(s) or responsibility.

Job Accountabilities

• Identifies ways to improve work processes and improve customer satisfaction.

• Makes recommendations to supervisor, implements, and monitors results as appropriate in support of the overall goals of the department and Parkland.

• Stays abreast of the latest developments, advancements, and trends in the field by attending seminars/workshops, reading professional journals, actively participating in professional organizations, and/or maintaining certification or licensure. Integrates knowledge gained into current work practices.

• Maintains knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, policies, laws, and guidelines that impact the area.

• Develops effective internal controls designed to promote adherence with applicable laws, accreditation agency requirements, and federal, state, and private health plans.

• Seeks advice and guidance as needed to ensure proper understanding.